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Incidence, magnitude & sport-specific factors of rugby tackles from different directions in youth rugby
Full text linkRugby tackles can cause head acceleration events (HAEs) which may acutely and chronically affect brain health. This study aimed to investigate the varying proportions, impact forces and rugby-specific factors of tackles from different directions relative to the ball carrier which may illuminate strategies to reduce injury and health risks. Boys from four youth boys’ teams in New Zealand (one U13 club: n = 19 players, 13 matches; two U16 club: n = 41, mean of 31.5 matches; one U16 representative: n = 26, 8 matches) wore instrumented mouthguards and all matches were videoed and analyzed to verify the collisions resulting in a tackle and code them based on rugby-specific and biomechanical factors (anticipation, falling, head position, face position). Of the 2539 tackles resulting in HAEs, most were front-on (56–64%). Tackle direction had no significant effect on either mean peak linear or rotational acceleration, however significantly fewer tackles from the rear resulted in impacts that would trigger an elite rugby head injury assessment than tackles from the front and side. The older and more skilled players more often had correct head positioning in front and side-on tackles, whereas almost none of the tackles from the rear had incorrect head positioning. Additional training focus should be given to tackles from the side and rear with younger players as they have poorer anticipation in these directions often resulting in higher HAE magnitude. Face up tackling seems to be best for reducing impact forces in tackles from behind, while face down tackling appears to be safest for front-on tackles
Regenerative management and phosphorus fertiliser effects on dryland pasture yield and botanical composition in New Zealand
Full text linkThis 3.5‐year grazed farmlet study investigated the impacts of regenerative agriculture and soil phosphorus (P) fertiliser on herbage dry matter (DM) yield and botanical composition in sheep‐grazed dryland pastures. Four treatments compared regenerative with conventional agriculture, under high and low P fertiliser, with Olsen P targets of 10 and 20 mg P kg‾¹. The regenerative system utilised a 12‐species diverse pasture mix with short‐duration grazing and long recovery periods, whereas conventional featured a lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) monoculture with best‐practice grazing. In Year 1, conventional yield outperformed regenerative by 3 t DM ha‾¹ (p<0.01). However, in Years 2 and 3, yields were similar across all treatments, averaging 7.7 t DM ha‾¹ in Year 2 and 10.3 t DM ha‾¹ in Year 3. Fertiliser had a minor effect, with high‐P treatments yielding 796 kg DM ha‾¹ more than low-P (p< 0.01), regardless of management system. In the regenerative treatment, legume content dropped from 34% in spring 2022 to 17% in autumn 2025, while sown grass content increased from 9.5% to 63% over the same period. Unsown species (weeds) contributed more to total herbage DM in conventional than regenerative (p< 0.001), while the proportion of dead material was greater in regenerative (p<0.001). Overall, regenerative matched conventional herbage yield in Years 2 and 3 but showed declining pasture quality due to reduced legume presence. Phosphorus fertiliser had a limited impact on yield and further research is required on how regenerative practices influence P dynamics in dryland pasture soils
Researching rupture: Engaged and ethical research on extreme nature–society disruption
Full text linkGlobal escalation in social and environmental disruption raises crucial methodological and ethical questions for researchers working in impacted communities. Interpretive social science and humanities research can make visible the experiences of those living through socio-ecological “rupture”. Yet, there are important ethical and design challenges to face regarding: (i) the temporal and spatial scope of research; (ii) how we work with affective responses to extreme, cascading events; and (iii) how we address vulnerabilities and agency within shifting power relations. We examine these dilemmas through three case studies that illustrate why researchers need to reflect critically upon the purpose, design, and timing of research, and the demands of “being in the field” in crisis settings. Drawing on approaches from feminist and decolonial studies, critical disaster studies, and critical disability studies, we consider potential pathways to respond to these dilemmas, with the aim of catalysing further scholarly discussion about research in rupture settings
Effect of Plantago lanceolata L. cultivar on nitrous oxide emissions from simulated cattle urine patches
Full text linkNarrow-leaved plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) has potential to reduce N₂O emissions from pastoral livestock systems. This study aimed to 1) compare N₂O emissions between plantain and ryegrass (R) swards, and 2) determine if N₂O emissions differed between three plantain cultivars with differing biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) potential (High (H), Medium (M), and Low (L)). Experiments were performed in two locations of New Zealand (Waikato and Southland) with differing soil types, latitude, and climate. Swards were established in a split-plot randomised block design with dairy cow urine (U) and non-urine (NoU) treatments. For the U treatments, cumulative N₂O emissions in Waikato were similar between all plantain cultivars and ryegrass (1588 ± 108 g N ha‾¹). However, in Southland, cumulative N₂O emissions from plantain swards were ∼50 % less than from ryegrass (mean 501 cf. 979 g N ha‾¹), with emissions differing by up to 212 g N ha⁻¹ between cultivars P < 0.05). For the NoU treatments, plantain reduced cumulative N₂O emissions compared with ryegrass by an average of 60 % (Waikato) and 53 % (Southland), with no differences among plantain cultivars. Urine N₂O emission factors (EF₃) were 0.20 % (H, L) and 0.23 % (M, R) in Waikato (P = 0.893), and 0.05 % (M, L), 0.07 % (H), and 0.11 % (R) in Southland (P < 0.001). The observed differences between sites and cultivars may relate to variation in management practices, soil type and physicochemical properties, localised climate, and plant traits. While plantain can reduce N₂O emissions compared to ryegrass swards, the magnitude of this reduction varies between cultivars and is environment specific
Modeling grapevine phenology at local scale in the context of climate change: An example in the Bordeaux area
No full textPredicting the key phenological stages in grapevine in response to increased temperatures due to climate change is essential to assess the potential risk of the growth cycle shifting to less suitable periods, such as frost periods or periods with unfavorable ripening conditions. This understanding is crucial for selecting grape varieties that are well-suited to specific production areas under current and future climatic conditions. Temperature and phenology at the local scale can be highly variable depending on the environmental context. Most studies have attempted to represent phenology at large scale, with few studies considering the local scale, critical for winegrower’s adaptation strategies. This research aimed to explore phenology modeling at the local scale by developing temperature-based models for budburst, flowering, veraison, and sugar concentration of 200 g/L for Vitis vinifera L. cv. Merlot in Saint-´ Emilion and surrounding appellations (Bordeaux, France). Fixed start dates versus phenophase based models, as well as simple versus more complex models, were tested and compared to current models in the literature. Selected phenological models were also compared under different warmer temperature scenarios. High-performance models were parameterized for all stages, showing few differences between approaches. However, the easy-to-use linear growing degree day models were slightly less accurate than the more complex curvilinear models, which are considered closer to plant development. Phenophase models performed better in predicting phenology with external validation data. The developed models outperformed existing models in literature, especially for the budburst stage. Little differences were observed in phenology projections among models with a 1ºC increase. In contrast, a 4 ◦ C increase showed significant differences between models, suggesting a need for deeper understanding of plant development under extreme temperatures. In addition to methodological findings on model selection, these results could help professionals optimize vineyard management and plant material adaptations to terroir and climate chang
Energy market deregulation: A new perspective on dividend smoothing
Full text linkThis paper investigates how U.S. electricity and gas utility firms adapted their dividend policies in response to deregulation of the energy sector, with a focus on understanding the internal financial mechanisms that support or constrain dividend smoothing. Using Lintner’s (1956) speed of adjustment model and a variance decomposition framework, we provide new evidence that deregulation significantly reduced dividend smoothing among utility firms, unlike their counterparts in the broader energy sector or non-energy industries. Specifically, we find that after deregulation, utility firms relied more heavily on debt financing and curtailed investment when faced with an income shock but also reflected that shock in the dividends more than before deregulation. Our empirical analysis draws on firm-level data from 1969 to 2021 and compares behaviour before and after deregulation across multiple firm categories, including a matched sample of non-utility firms. We show that deregulation made it harder for firms to maintaining the same level of dividend smoothing. These findings give insights on the importance of regulatory context in corporate finance research, and how market liberalization can impact not only competition and pricing for the affected sectors, but also the strategies firms use to balance investor expectations and operational need
Transitioning towards circular economy practices: The role of organizational capabilities and environmental dynamism—Evidence from Indonesia
Full text linkCircular economy practices are increasingly recognized as strategic approaches to enhance competitiveness and sustainability. However, the transition to circular business models, particularly concerning internal capabilities and environmental dynamics in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), has not been sufficiently explored. This study examines the impact of organizational agility and environmental dynamism on circular economy practices among Indonesian SMEs. Data from 207 companies (828 respondents) were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results show that both organizational agility and environmental dynamism significantly drive strategic changes towards circular economy practices. Organizational agility positively influences circular product innovation and production processes, while environmental dynamism has a notably positive impact on recycling initiatives. The adoption of circular business models mediates organizational agility and environmental dynamism towards circular economy practices (circular product innovation, circular production practices, and recycling practices). This research enhances our understanding of how organizational adaptability and environmental factors promote circular business models in SMEs. This study integrates dynamic capability and institutional theory through a comprehensive model to enhance the circular economy literature, especially in the SME sector. In addition, the research findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and business leaders implementing circular economy principles in the SME sector, contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (Goal 8, decent work and economic growth; Goal 9, industry, innovation, and infrastructure; Goal 12, responsible consumption and production; Goal 13, climate action; Goal 17, partnership for the goals) through improved resource management and sustainable practices
Towards a unified currency for landscape performance evaluation: A New Zealand case
Full text linkLandscape Performance Evaluation (LPE) practices have made significant progress over the past decade. However, challenges persist in comparing landscape benefits and conducting cost–benefit analyses for decision-making. This paper introduces a “universal currency” for comparing landscape benefits and weighing them against costs. Employing a revealed-preference approach, this study quantifies the perceived benefits of public open spaces in a fast-growing peri-urban town in New Zealand by analysing their impact on land values. The findings reveal a positive correlation between proximity to public open spaces and increased land prices, highlighting the potential of economic indicators for unifying landscape benefit measurements. An analysis of 15-year historical geoinformation and transaction data further demonstrates the consistency of the contributions, even during major market disruptions, showing the robustness of the monetary indicator. This exploration, while offering a pathway toward more effective landscape performance evaluation practices, also underscores the critical role of landscape architecture in enhancing human well-being
The global geopolitical-energy uncertainty index and total factor productivity: New evidence from firm-level analysis
Full text linkThis paper examines the impact of the global geopolitical-energy uncertainty (GEU) on firm-level total factor productivity, considering variation across countries, industries, and firm sizes. Employing the novel GEU index proposed by Dang et al. (2024a) and firm-level annual data from 2001 to 2023, we find strong evidence that the GEU index negatively affects firm productivity. There is heterogeneity in the GEU index’s impact. Firms in developed countries such as the US, UK, France, and Germany are more negatively affected, whereas Canadian firms show a positive response. Energy-intensive firms and smaller firms experience stronger negative impacts. Mechanism analysis further demonstrates that both firm level characteristics and macroeconomic energy conditions shape productivity responses to GEU. Higher profitability reduces the negative impact of GEU shocks, while higher cost intensity and higher global energy prices amplify the adverse effects, increasing productivity losses. Our baseline results remain robust under different robustness checks. The paper’s findings offer guidance for firms to develop effective strategies to manage risks during periods of heightened geopolitical-energy uncertaint
Long-term biomass removal in grasslands reduces plant and soil phosphorus, increases carbon:phosphorus stoichiometry, but does not lead to microbial phosphorus limitation
No full textGrassland management practices can disrupt the stoichiometric balance between available soil nutrients and microbial communities, thereby impacting ecosystem functioning. Using a long-term field trial, we investigated the effects of four contrasting mowing treatments with/without nitrogen (N) addition on the elemental concentrations and stoichiometries of soil, plant, and microbial biomass. Retaining biomass after mowing resulted in lower C:N and C:P in plant shoots (C:N = 18.8, C:P =283.9) compared with never mowing (C:N =24.5, C: P =493.4). Similarly, the mean soil available C:N when retaining biomass after mowing (C:N = 2.68) was lower than the ratio in the never mown grassland (C:N = 3.44). Removing biomass after mowing strongly depleted soil available phosphorus (P) concentration, leading to significantly higher C:P (C:P = 16.10) than that in the never mown grassland (C:P = 3.85). There were no significant differences in soil available carbon (C) concentration among the treatments, indicating that shifts in the C:N and C:P ratios of available resources were largely due to differences in nutrient rather than C availability. Despite differences in the stoichiometry of available resources, microbial biomass C:N and C:P was similar among treatments and consistently higher than those for the available substrates. This indicates that soil microbes were unresponsive to varying nutrient availability across treatments, suggesting they may be C- rather than nutrient-limited. In this long-term trial, microbial stoichiometry was resilient to soil P depletion and insensitive to N addition. The components of agroecosystems (plants, soil, and soil microorganisms) can contrast in their stoichiometries. Managing one component’s nutrient limitation may have little influence with that of the other component